LCVP Portfolio Items

Summary Report

Summary Report in the Link Modules

A summary report is a short written communication which may have a variety of purposes such as:

  • to brief the reader on the details of a particular event
  • to analyse a particular issue, draw conclusions and make recommendations
  • to convince the reader of the importance of taking a particular course of action.

The ability to present information in a manner that is concise, logical and easy to read is an important skill – one that is valued in education, business and in the community. The summary report provides LCVP students with an opportunity to gain proficiency in this form of writing.

The learning outcomes of the Link Modules provide many possibilities for students to write a summary report.

Link Module 1: Preparation for the World of Work

  • Employment in the local area
  • Economic resources in the local area
  • Social services in the local area
  • The potential for tourism in the local area
  • A health and safety investigation
  • A visit to a local training scheme

Link Module 2: Enterprise Education

  • An interview with an entrepreneur
  • A team building activity
  • A visit to a business or community enterprise
  • A visitor to the Link Modules’ class
  • The use of information technology by a business
  • An investigation of a voluntary organisation

Portfolio of Coursework –Assessment Criteria

As part of their Portfolio of coursework students must present a total of 6 items.

The Summary Report is part of the mandatory core.

The Summary Report will assess the student’s ability to:

  • Generate a document with a clear and consistent layout
  • Name the LCVP activity being reported
  • State the terms of reference of the report or aims of the activity
  • Summarise key details of the activity under headings
  • Use language appropriate to the task content
  • Organise the report in a logical sequence
  • Draw conclusions and make recommendations appropriate to previously stated aims/terms of reference

Guidelines for preparing a Summary Report

The Summary Report should be presented as a word-processed document 300-600 words in length. As it is a summary document, the emphasis should be on accuracy, clarity and brevity. Students should be encouraged to use simple language, short sentences and short paragraphs. The document may contain information in tabular form but the inclusion of appendices is not recommended.

Full details of the Link Modules syllabus including the Summary Report can be found in:

  • The Department of Education and Science publication- “Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme” 2001.
  • The NCCA Link Modules Assessment Guidelines that were written to support teachers in preparing students for assessment in the Link Modules

Reference should also be made to DES Circulars and Guidelines which are sent to schools

Template for a Summary Report (300 – 600 words)

Title / Clearly identifiable title
Author
Terms of Reference /
Aims / Why the report was written or requested
What student/group hope to achieve
Body of the Report / Paragraphs in a logical sequence, the use of numbered or bold headings and bulleted lists is recommended
Conclusions / Concise list, should refer back to the terms of reference/aims
Recommendations / Suggestions for future action, based on the summary report’s conclusions, might also include follow-on activities or describe how the student might perform better in a future exercise